COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Dick Edell, affectionately known as “Big Man,” passed away in the early hours of May 2, 2018. He was 74.

The Edell family kindly asks for charity donations in lieu of flowers. Donation and memorial service information will be provided as it becomes available.

Sporting a larger than life personality, Edell came to College Park in 1984 and had a remarkable 18-year tenure as head coach of the Maryland men’s lacrosse team that included three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) titles and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. He finished with 171 wins at Maryland, which ranks second all-time. Edell was also the first coach in history to reach the 150-win plateau at an ACC school.

He was twice named the F. Morris Touchstone National Coach of the Year by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and was the ACC Coach of the Year on three occasions.

Edell was revered for the incredible impact he had on everyone he came in contact with from former players, to coaches, to fans and to media.

He was inducted into the Army West Point Athletics Hall of Fame (2017), Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2016), National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (2004), University of Maryland Hall of Fame (2002), Towson University Hall of Fame (1980), among numerous others.

Edell amassed 282 victories, fifth-most in history at the time of retirement, over the course of his 29-year collegiate coaching career at the University of Baltimore, Army West Point and Maryland. His 17 NCAA Tournament appearances also ranked second behind Roy Simmons Jr. of Syracuse who had 18.

A Maryland native through and through, Edell attended Towson where he played lacrosse and was an All-American midfielder in1967.

Dick is survived by his wife Dolores, children, Lisa Edell, Krissy Kelley and her husband Dave, Gregg Edell and his wife Cate, and Erin Russell and her husband Henry. Also his grandchildren, Meghan, Jackson, Lindsay, Morgan, Blake and Sadie. He is also survived by his favorite sister, Linda Burnett.